The Chicago White Sox are making the following recommendations to fans attending Opening Series games against the Kansas City Royals:

First pitch of Opening Day, presented by U.S. Cellular, is Monday, April 1 at 3:10 p.m.; the second game of the series is Wednesday, April 3 at 1:10 p.m.; and the series finale is Thursday, April 4 at 1:10 p.m.

There are a limited number of standing-room-only tickets available for Monday’s home opener. These are the only tickets remaining for the game and are only available at the U.S. Cellular Field ticket office. Tickets for the remainder of the opening series are available at the White Sox ticket office at U.S. Cellular Field, online at whitesox.com and through Ticketmaster phone lines at (866) SOX-GAME.

· Fans should only purchase tickets through authorized White Sox ticket agents. Purchasing tickets through the White Sox ticket office, whitesox.com, Ticketmaster or Stub Hub are the best ways to guarantee valid purchases.

The White Sox strongly recommend that fans utilize public transportation. The CTA Red Line stops near the ballpark at 35th Street, and the Green Line is two blocks further east at 35th Street.

There also is a Metra stop at 35th Street, just east of the Dan Ryan Expressway, along the Rock Island line. Metra will increase its service on game days to accommodate White Sox fans. For the most up-to-date game day service information including weekend inbound train schedules to meet the various scheduled first pitch start times, check metrarail.com.

Gates to the ballpark open two hours before the start time of the Opening Day game and one and one half hours before the games on Wednesday and Thursday.

· The Bacardi at the Park restaurant near Gate 5 of U.S. Cellular Field is again open this season. The restaurant will be open to the public on Opening Day at 5 a.m., with media outlets broadcasting live from the venue. Coffee, soft drinks and donuts will be served until 7 a.m. when regular food and beverage service will commence. Fans wishing to attend the broadcasts should park in Lot A. Bacardi at the Park will open four hours prior to first pitch on the day of all home games throughout the season.

· The Miller Lite Bullpen Sports Bar will open one and one half hours before game start on Opening Day with B96 broadcasting live from 10 am-2 pm. Throughout the regular season, the Miller Lite Bullpen Sports Bar will open two and one half hours before first pitch of Saturday – Sunday games and one and one half hours before games on Monday – Friday (limited to the first 500 fans 21 and over).

Parking lots open three hours before the start time of the Opening Day game, while they will open two hours before the start of the games on Wednesday and Thursday. Fans holding reserved parking coupons should display the coupons prominently as they approach the ballpark.

Prepaid red coupons are accepted in Lots A, B, C and G, and prepaid green coupons are accepted in Lots F and L only. Cash parking will be very limited when lots open (Lots G, F and L; Lot A in the early morning only). Fans seeking cash parking should follow directional signs to available lots. Cash parking is $20 Monday – Saturday and $10 on Sundays.

Fans planning to park and take the CTA downtown to work in the morning can park in Lot A (cash parking) starting at 5 a.m. This option is for fans returning to the ballpark for the game. Lot A is accessible from Wentworth Avenue between 33rd and 35th Streets. Tailgating will not be allowed in Lot A on Opening Day until three hours before the start of the game, when the rest of the parking lots open.

Free shuttle service will be available on Opening Day from parking lots at 31st Street and Moe Drive (ONLY if all cash lots are filled at the ballpark).

Fans holding tickets for the upper level will not be able to access other levels of the ballpark. This policy ensures fans may safely and comfortably enjoy the game with access to the areas of the ballpark where they bought tickets.

In accordance with the Illinois law, smoking is prohibited in all areas of U.S. Cellular Field. There is a designated smoking area outside of Gate 2 and Gate 5. Those fans wishing to smoke must proceed to the ground level at the base of the ramps at Gate 2 and Gate 5.

· White Sox magnetic schedules and rally towels will be given to all fans in attendance on Opening Day, courtesy of U.S. Cellular.

Lot B at Gate 5 of the ballpark is designated for cars displaying state-issued disability placards or license plates. In addition, any guests in need of assistance will be allowed by ballpark personnel to be dropped off and/or picked up in Lot B. Fans will have access to Lot B and Gate 5 (located north of the ballpark; across 35th Street) via 33rd Street.

Alcohol cannot be taken from the park or consumed on public ways, in observation of city regulations.

Finally, the White Sox ask fans to be respectful of the neighborhood and homes surrounding the ballpark before and after games.

Specific media guidelines for Opening Day 2013, including details on vehicle parking, credentials, press box/clubhouse hours and other ballpark and ticket information are available to members of the media on White Sox media site whitesoxpressbox.com.

jmeneghini1433

03-28-2013, 02:52 PM

So when do you guys think a good time would be to leave the south suburbs to park and tailgate? No way am I parking at 31st and Moe.

kittle42

03-29-2013, 11:02 AM

Only standing room available for opening day. About 30k available for each of the next two games.

Wedema

03-29-2013, 11:44 AM

Why even bother mentioning the next 2 games in the advisory as the park will be practically empty for those games.

Jerko

03-29-2013, 11:46 AM

****ing Bacardi shortening their hours. :angry::angry: Place should be open every day for lunch like it used to be, and when the Sox are on the road. Would be nice to catch a game there when the Sox are on the road............ What a waste of a great bar IMO.

As an extra note, and I started a thread about a week ago; still looks like 33rd and Normal and most of 32nd street west of canal is still being worked on. Even if you're attending Weds/Thurs it might be a hassle around that area. I wouldn't even go near there on Monday.

Jerko

03-29-2013, 11:49 AM

Why even bother mentioning the next 2 games in the advisory as the park will be practically empty for those games.

I'll be at those games and I'm already anticipating being funneled to the fan deck for any concessions I might want since all the stands will be closed. Don't get me wrong, I love these weekday games, but really I've never seen a place that is so closed when it's open.

dwitt76

03-29-2013, 12:09 PM

Only standing room available for opening day. About 30k available for each of the next two games.

:redneck

Mr. Jinx

03-29-2013, 01:08 PM

****ing Bacardi shortening their hours. :angry::angry: Place should be open every day for lunch like it used to be, and when the Sox are on the road. Would be nice to catch a game there when the Sox are on the road............ What a waste of a great bar IMO.

As an extra note, and I started a thread about a week ago; still looks like 33rd and Normal and most of 32nd street west of canal is still being worked on. Even if you're attending Weds/Thurs it might be a hassle around that area. I wouldn't even go near there on Monday.

Do they still charge ballpark prices for drinks on off days?

Jerko

03-29-2013, 01:11 PM

Do they still charge ballpark prices for drinks on off days?

I don't think they're open on off days anymore. Last time I was there before they shuttered the place for the winter it was about 4 bucks for a tall Miller can. Looks like they are open "4 hours before every home game". So, the very well MAY charge ballgame prices since it looks like they are only going to be open on game days.

anewman35

03-29-2013, 11:36 PM

****ing Bacardi shortening their hours. :angry::angry: Place should be open every day for lunch like it used to be, and when the Sox are on the road. Would be nice to catch a game there when the Sox are on the road............ What a waste of a great bar IMO.

I'm sure they'd be open if people had come. You can't expect them to be open all the time for a few people.

Mr. Jinx

03-30-2013, 07:17 AM

I'm sure they'd be open if people had come. You can't expect them to be open all the time for a few people.

It always did seem like a silly idea to me to keep the place open year round. I just never thought there's a whole lot of people driving down the Ryan thinking, "ooh, I'll stop by the ballpark for lunch today". Having said that, I will admit I have never gone there on a non-game day so for all I know the place was hopping.

anewman35

03-30-2013, 08:09 AM

It always did seem like a silly idea to me to keep the place open year round. I just never thought there's a whole lot of people driving down the Ryan thinking, "ooh, I'll stop by the ballpark for lunch today". Having said that, I will admit I have never gone there on a non-game day so for all I know the place was hopping.

Yeah, I was never there either, I just can't imagine the Sox or the Stadium Authority or whoever made this decision would leave money on the table.

soxfan21

03-30-2013, 09:37 AM

I went there for the. ND v. USC game, and it was a ghost town. One waitress, one bartender, and 8 patrons inside and that was it.

Jerko

03-30-2013, 10:00 AM

They didn't advertise well, that's for sure. But the last few times i stopped in it picked up a little. They can't do nothing and expect people to show up. It was nice having that place as an option over the winter. Oh well, whatever.

Jerko

03-30-2013, 10:07 AM

I was there for the. ND v. USC game, and it was a ghost town. One waitress, one bartender, and 8 patrons inside and that was it.

I must say it WAS dead there for Bears Rams, but people already have their football bars. i just think with more of an effort they could have made a killing there. Nicer than the normal neighborhood joints and great food.

MISoxfan

03-31-2013, 11:47 PM

I stopped there one day for lunch during the off season with my family and we were the only table.

The drinks were still served in plastic cups, the food wasn't all that great, and it was expensive. It wasn't worth it at all.

kittle42

04-01-2013, 10:33 AM

I stopped there one day for lunch during the off season with my family and we were the only table.

The drinks were still served in plastic cups, the food wasn't all that great, and it was expensive. It wasn't worth it at all.

Yeah, the people wanting it to be open year-round confuse me. It's nice for a place attached to a ballpark, but other than that, a waste of money.

Jerko

04-01-2013, 11:11 AM

Yeah, the people wanting it to be open year-round confuse me. It's nice for a place attached to a ballpark, but other than that, a waste of money.

Well, I'd like it to be open year round because it's close to my house, parking is a breeze, it's nicer than the neigborhood joints, it's cool to be at the Cell during the offseason, and I DON'T like places that are wall to wall people. I realize that's just me though and no, I wouldn't stay open either if I were them. That said, being open during road games and advertising a little wouldn't kill them. I've given up on the year round thing.

MISoxfan

04-01-2013, 05:12 PM

Well, I'd like it to be open year round because it's close to my house, parking is a breeze, it's nicer than the neigborhood joints, it's cool to be at the Cell during the offseason, and I DON'T like places that are wall to wall people. I realize that's just me though and no, I wouldn't stay open either if I were them. That said, being open during road games and advertising a little wouldn't kill them. I've given up on the year round thing.

As far as sport bars go, is it really any different than Buffalo Wings and Rings? It's much better when it's right before a ballgame, but I didn't find the food to be any better. At Wings and Rings, at least you can get a Green Line in a glass.

Maybe I just can't get passed the fact that drinks are served in a plastic cup in the middle of winter. I understand why that's an issue when its packed wall to wall before a game, but why during the winter?

Jerko

04-02-2013, 08:38 AM

As far as sport bars go, is it really any different than Buffalo Wings and Rings? It's much better when it's right before a ballgame, but I didn't find the food to be any better. At Wings and Rings, at least you can get a Green Line in a glass.

Maybe I just can't get passed the fact that drinks are served in a plastic cup in the middle of winter. I understand why that's an issue when its packed wall to wall before a game, but why during the winter?

I admit, I'm weird; I just like being at the park in the winter. During the season I actually prefer the stadium club to Bacardi. I think I've only been to Bacardi once in-season, and we stayed outside.